Shanti Phula's Blog

Mr. Tetsuya Iida’s Decision to Run for the Yamaguchi Gubernatorial Election Makes Prime Minister’s Office Hurry-Scurry (Nikkan Gendai: June 11, 2012)

This is quite interesting. I wonder if a revolution will start from Yamaguchi as was expected.

Masatoshi Takeshita

* Posted by Mr. Takeshita on his blog - June 13, 2012 -

Mr. Tetsuya Iida’s Decision to Run for the Yamaguchi Gubernatorial Election Makes Prime Minister’s Office Hurry-Scurry (Nikkan Gendai: June 11, 2012)

Reprint from “Hibi Tantan” Document Blog

*That Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, also ardent admirer.

We guess that Prime Minister Noda, who has forced through the resumption of operations in the Ooi nuclear power plants against the public opposition, might turn white at the unexpected development.

This is because Mr. Tetsuya Iida, 53, who claims “denuclearization” and “expansion of natural energy”, has decided to run for the Yamaguchi gubernatorial election slated for July 29.

Mr. Iida comes from Yamaguchi Prefecture and graduated from Kyoto University. He, as a special advisor to Osaka Prefecture and City, advises Toro Hashimoto to implement “denuclearization policy.” He is a “denuclearization” icon. It is certain that the gubernatorial election will be like a national referendum asking the residents to vote for “denuclearization” or “promotion of nuclear energy use.” And yet, he is said to be highly likely to win the election.

Shigetaro Yamamoto, 63, the former government official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Tsutomu Takamura, a member of the Democratic Party, have already announced to run for the election.

“At first, it was anticipated that Shigetaro Yamamoto supported by the LDP would win an overwhelming victory. Though he is not popular, which is proved by his having lost two consecutive Lower House elections, it was anticipated that he, though unattractive, would be a winner. Yamaguchi Prefecture is the conservative kingdom. On top of that, Takamura of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will lose ground because he announced to run for the election in the teeth of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Worker’s Union. However, with Mr. Iida’s candidacy for the election, things will turn around. Yamamoto and Iida will inevitably run a dead heat.” (Local person involved)

The pros and cons of nuclear power plants will become the issue because there has been a big campaign against the construction of “Kaminoseki nuclear power plants” in Kumage County, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has been promoted by Chugoku Electric Power Company.

And yet, once an election campaign starts, it is expected that celebrities claiming “denuclearization” across the country will get together. Surprisingly, Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of Shinzo Abe elected in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is likely to support Mr. Iida.

“There is no doubt that Mrs. Akie Abe is fascinated with him. She has frequently written about him in her blog. She has been to Iwaijima, his constituency, together with him, where he aims to realize the use of natural energy alone. Ronbu Ju’n, a comedian who comes from Yamaguchi, also gets along with Mr. Iida and gives a lecture together with him. He clarifies his stance of “denuclearization” by saying “My close friend Taro Yamamoto has been active in the antinuclear power movement.” Furthermore, it is highly likely that 117 Democratic Party members, who oppose to the resumption of operations in Ooi nuclear power plants, will support Mr. Iida as they please. If more and more celebrities get to support Mr. Iida, no wonder he will win a landslide victory.” (Political player)

If Mr. Iida, a “denuclearization” icon, wins a victory, it is inevitable that the pros and cons of the resumption of operations in the Ooi nuclear power plants will be discussed again and Prime Minister DOJO who has forced through the resumption of the operations will run into additional difficulties.

[Mr.Takeshita] The truth about the Aum incident seems to be far from what is generally understood

Mr.Takeshita wrote:
Here are two photos of Naoko Kikuchi. (*one of wanted Aum members: See 1995 Tokyo sarin gas attacks and related incidents)

I don’ think they are the same person. If a completely different woman pretending to be Naoko Kikuchi should have been arrested, it would show what an inexplicable, mysterious incident the Aum incident is. I don’t know the truth about the incident, but there seems to be a catch to it, which is far from what is generally understood.

People who try to plot such incident tend to make a long-term elaborate plan. Considering that they plan to cause chaos similar to the Aum incident in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, spark a panic, declare martial law, and implement constitutional amendments, everything seems to make a sense to some extent. This kind of reasoning does not seem to completely miss the point.

Masatoshi Takeshita

* Posted by Mr.Takeshita on his blog – June 11, 2012 -

What I have thought anew about the Aum incident after looking back on it - Fuji Fuji’s Filter Blog: June 6, 2012 -

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article of the above blog, by Monju Bosatsu, June 10, 2012

This is about the Aum Incident*. *Note) What lies behind the Aum incident.

It is said that Naoko Kikuchi was arrested due to an anonymous report. I was very surprised to know that there was somebody who had recognized her just by seeing the photo on the wanted list, for she looked so different. Even investigators said they could never identify her because she was like a different person. She had lived a life of seclusion together with a man in an almost crumbling shabby house with no trace of habitation. Whenever she went out, she used a car, and she walked with her face down. This is why she was not discovered. She had identified herself as Chizuko Sakurai.

The Subway Sarin Incident in 1995 was terrorist attacks. The incident had the scenario of terrorist attacks in common with 9/11. At that time massive coverage of the incident was given in a way to amuse us. A fixed idea that the Subway Sarin Incident was responsible for the Aum might have been instilled. I feel now that as Mr. Joyu, former ranking member, says, the Aum might have been caught in the trap.

The strong support of Hashimoto, Mayor of Osaka, by Michael Green apparently shows his belief that Hashimoto is sure to start a war with China.

The strong support of Hashimoto by Michael Green apparently shows his belief that Hashimoto is sure to start a war with China. This is the same approach adopted by American bankers who picked out Hitler and continued funding the Nazis. It is often said that “History repeats itself.” It is quite natural because the same bad guys have been playing the rogue.

Masatoshi Takeshita

* Posted by Mr. Takeshita on his blog – June 9, 2012 –

English translation of reprint from a Japanese article: Ashore blog

Original contributor: gikou89 dated March 24, 2012

[Washington, Correspondent Yoshihisa Komori, Sankei Shimbun]

Mr. Michael Green, the former Senior Director for Asian Affairs, U.S. National Security Council (NSC) made a comment on Osaka Mayor Hashimoto, who is shaking Japanese politics, and the “Osaka Restoration Association” led by him, at a seminar on new leaders in Asia on March 20th : “Mr. Hashimoto has exceptional leadership ability and will be able to become a kingmaker in national political arena who can influence the appointment of a prime minister.”

At a seminar on new leaders in Asia, Mr. Green, currently director of Asian affairs with responsibility for Japan and Georgetown University professor, commented “Popularity of Mr. Hashimoto is an exceptionally important phenomenon and he has his competent ability as a populist (politician appealing to the public).

While he pointed out that it was not structurally easy in Japan for a chief of any local government and his/her group to immediately make an advance into national politics, Mr. Green expressed the opinion that it was likely that he would break this framework and play an active role in national politics. In that case, he said “It is thinkable that he will be able to become a kingmaker who can influence a prime minister or the appointment of a prime minister. He may become a leader like the former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who gained the public trust.”

As for the influence on Japan-U.S. relations, Mr. Green mentioned “Even though he should become a prime minister, considering his supportive stance on Japan-U.S. alliance and Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) Agreement, bilateral relations based on Japan-U.S. Security Treaty as well as economic relations would develop smoothly.” However, he criticized Mr. Hashimoto's anti-nuclear stance, saying “Considering the Japan’s economy, it would be equal to a daydream.”

The People Are Not Fools. Expanded “Support of Ozawa” Makes Prime Minister Noda Turn White ( Nikkan Gendai, a daily tabloid – June 7, 2012 – )

* Introduced by Mr.Takeshita on his blog - June 8, 2012 *

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article:
The People Are Not Fools. Expanded “Support of Ozawa” Makes Prime Minister Noda Turn White ( Nikkan Gendai, a daily tabloid - June 7, 2012 - )

Asahi Shimbun Survey Shows Surprisingly 47% of Swing Voters Support Ozawa!

Prime Minister Noda is rushing headlong towards a rise in consumption tax after delivering an ultimatum to Ichiro Ozawa, saying “We are going to carry on consultation with Liberal Democratic Party.” The Prime Minister’s Office seems to have anticipated that a confrontation with Ozawa would boost the approval rating of the Cabinet. Major mass media have spurred the prime minister to “cut off Ozawa and rush straight towards a rise in consumption tax.” But the approval rating has not risen, while the public support of Ozawa has been expanding. This has made Prime Minister DOJO (weatherfish) turn white.

72% Shows “Disapproval of Enactment of A Bill on Consumption Tax Increase in this Diet session”

Aides of the prime minister are greatly upset about the results of “opinion poll” conducted by Asahi Shimbun immediately after the Cabinet reshuffle.

Prime Minister Dojo has been all out to enact a bill on consumption tax increase, saying “I will stake my political life on enactment of the bill.” However, only 17% say “The bill should be enacted in this Diet Session” and 72% respond “The enactment should not be clung to.”

The “pros” and “cons” on the bill itself are 32% and 56%, respectively. The pros was the lowest in the past 6 opinion poll surveys. The support rating and non-support rating were 27% and 51%.

What has upset Prime Minister Dojo more is unexpectedly higher approval rating of Ozawa. As for the question of whether attitude of Ozawa is supported or not: “thorough administrative reform should be done”, there is little difference between approval rating and disapproval; 41% and 44%. Solely concerning the swing voters, approval rating exceeds disapproval; 47% and 35%.

Advocates of consumption tax increase anticipated that if they did not describe a hike in consumption tax as a policy and repainted it as “Ozawa vs. Anti-Ozawa”, there would not be many opponents because a great majority of people dislike him. However, the number of people who support his assertion that something should be done before a hike in consumption tax has been steadily increasing, which is contrary to their expectation.

According to informed source, the prime minister’s office had already had a sense of crisis on the fact that the Center within the party had started moving closer to “opposition to tax increase.” The Kano group and Akira Naganuma have a strong complaint against the prime minister who tries just to promote tax increase, ignoring the problem of social security. The fact that many of the people support Ozawa who sticks with his position “disapproval of a hike in consumption tax” not only will give an enormous momentum to the Ozawa group but make the Center oppose the plan without any hesitation. Close aides of the prime minister are perplexed at an unexpectedly high acceptance of Ozawa.

Besides that, there is something queer with Asahi Shimbun. The opinion poll survey it conducted shows that 72% of the public respond “enactment of the bill in this Diet session should not be clung to” but in the editorial they have spurred to advocate “10% of consumption tax.” Do they think that public opinion does not matter?

“I wonder for what Asahi Shimbun conducts public opinion poll surveys. Originally, journalism should take a supportive stance to the public, not to the Power. Asahi Shimbun completely denies Ozawa’s assertion, but it is natural that the public supports him because his assertion is right. The more often Ozawa publicly asserts his firm stance, the more the number of his advocates would be. It is never too late. Asahi Shimbun should apologize to the public and take the helm of anti-consumption tax increase.”
(Mr. Asao Yamaguchi, political analyst)

Asahi Shimbun should clarify their position on whether they are on the public side or not.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano (at that time) Says “I didn’t refer to the meltdowns because it’s self-evident”

“What an unspeakable remark of Edano! I wonder why this remark has not come to an issue in media. His remark is incomparably serious than the censure against Defense Minister Tanaka. What do you think? It seems to me that his remark is equivalent to a crime.”

Masatoshi Takeshita

* Posted by Mr.Takeshita on his blog - June 3, 2012 *

Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano (at that time) Says “I didn’t refer to the meltdowns because it’s self-evident”

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: [ITAI-NYU-SU(Sore News)] June 3, 2012

On May 27, 2012, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Edano was called into the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 Accident Investigation Commission of the Diet, which has been proceeding with investigation of the accident, as an unsworn witness and responded to witness interview. On this day, Edano, who had played a role as spokesman of the Kan Administration, was asked about the way he had offered information about the accident.

Meltdowns finally admitted three months after the accident, in addition for overseas organization

It is in July last year, three months after the accident that the government admitted the meltdowns, about which the government reported to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). Asked about a significant delay in public announcement of the meltdowns, he turned defiant, saying “As for a possible damage of reactor cores (RCA), I said at the press conference in the morning on March 13 ‘based on a great likelihood of such damage, we are taking countermeasures against it.”

When a commission member asked him a sharp question “Didn’t you think that many people seemed not to take the accident so seriously?” he answered as if it were somebody else’s problem, “Maybe I might have to regret that I got a delusion.” Furthermore, he continued giving an unspeakable remark, “As core meltdowns had occurred and possible leakage was too self-evident, I missed a chance to refer to it anew.”

"I did not tell that obvious melt-down radiation leakage" (then) Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano - JCAST TV (Machine Translated)

With information kept away from us by the prime minister’s office, an operation of nuclear power plant to be resumed

A woman who sat in on the Commission said with increased mistrust, “I doubt why he used such irresponsible language though being in a responsible position.” Satoshi Aoki, a former Kyodo correspondent, also got angry over his irresponsibility.

“Watching at his attitude in the Commission made me very angry. Though not seen in the video streaming of the Commission, Mr. Edano vented his anger on the fact that what had not been reported to the prime minister’s office has been disclosed in the press conferences by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA). In spite of such situation, TEPCO has mentioned they will resume operating another nuclear power plant without ensuring its safety. The fundamental problem remains to be solved whether it is safe to leave the resumed operation to such company.”

On 28th, Prime Minister Kan at that time will be called into the Commission as an unsworn witness for interview. What an ‘unthinkable remark’ will he give?

"I did not tell that obvious melt-down radiation leakage" (then) Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano - JCAST TV (Machine Translated)